Revered as one among the seven holiest places of India, Haridwar that literally suggests the ‘Gateway to Lord Vishnu’ is cradled on the banks of river Ganga. Haridwar is also spelled as Haridwar or Hari-Dwar.
Haridwar Pilgrimage Importance
Haridwar is often mentioned in ancient scriptures and even referred to during British times. With Ujjain, Nasik, and Allahabad, Haridwar forms the four important pilgrimage centers of India where Kumbh Mela is celebrated here after every 3 years rotated over these 4 destinations. Maha Kumbh Mela will be held in Haridwar in 2022. Haridwar is referred to as the Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokhsadwar in ancient writings.
Enrapture in the peace and tranquillity of Haridwar- The Gateway to Gods
Haridwar serves as the Gateway to the Char Dhams of Uttarakhand. The 'Panch Tirth' or the five pilgrimages located within the periphery of Haridwar are Gangadwara (Har Ki Pauri), Kushwart (Ghat), Kankhal, Bilwa Tirtha (Mansa Devi Temple) and Neel Parvat (Chandi Devi).
Other famous attractions include the Chandi Devi temple, Maya Devi temple, Piran Kaliyar, Neel Dhara Pakshi Vihar, Bhimgoda Tank, Bharat Mata Mandir, etc. Haridwar is one of the best places to head to if you are in a quest for peace and spirituality. One can do temple hopping, stroll along the river banks, have a holy dip in the Ganges or enjoy the serene atmosphere of the heavenly place.
You can visit some of the sacred Hindu temples and ashrams or rejuvenate your senses at the Ayurveda and Yoga centers. The auspicious Ganga Arti held at Har ki Pauri is a sight to behold, as the city is drenched in the divine aura of the glittering diyas and the ambiance is accentuated by the chanting of the mantras to appease the gods.
The tiny diyas bedecked by flowers appear as if thousands of lamps are set to float in the river. Haridwar also has a lot in store for the adventure enthusiasts as Rajaji National Park and Rishikesh are located on the outskirts of Haridwar.
Activities in Haridwar
Shopping in Haridwar
Haridwar offers some of the most interesting and well-crafted items, carved stone idols, beads, copper and brass puja utensils, glass bangles, cane baskets, and jewelry are some of the most popular buying items in Haridwar. But before that, you will really need to know where to go to stuff your bags with these items. Some of the most popular and much-visited marketplaces in and around Haridwar are as follows.
Popular Markets in Haridwar for Shopping
- Bara Bazar: The market is located on Railway Road. Rudraksha seeds are on display here in plenty. But before you make a buy, do make sure that you are buying genuine seeds. Apart from this, you can buy Ayurvedic medicines as well.
- Government Handloom & Handicraft Emporium: The pilgrimage town of Haridwar also features a number of government-run emporiums. At these shops, you can find a wide variety of religious as well as stone and wood handicrafts.
- Moti Bazar: The market lies on the Upper Road towards the north of the canal. Here, you will find a number of stalls in series selling a wide range of Pooja articles and other accessories. Once here, you can purchase items including intricately carved stone idols, metal utensils (mainly of copper and brass), sweets, colourful glass bangles, and cane baskets. These stalls also sell wonderful kitchen set toys, pickles, and Ayurveda medicines.
- Kankhal: Walking 3 miles south of Haridwar takes you to the historical town of Kankhal. Here you can shop for Rudraksha.
- Jwalapur: Apart from buying souvenirs at the market here, you can also check out various pure veg restaurants and sweetmeat shops. Shops in the market sell a wide variety of mouth-watering delicacies here.
Pilgrimage: Haridwar is one of the seven holiest places in India, and lakhs of devotees flock at Haridwar to wash their sins and seek blessings from the divine. People visit Haridwar to perform the last rites of their loved ones.
Shopping: There are a large number of bazaars where one can purchase devotional items ranging from ornaments, idols, and pictures of religious deities. Bara Bazaar and Moti Bazaar are known for their garment shops.
Wildlife Safari: The famous Rajaji National Park is just a drive away from Haridwar where one can partake in safari and spot deer, elephants and panthers. If one is lucky, maybe the Royal Bengal tiger will be spotted too.
Haridwar - The Business Hub and Industrial Town
Haridwar is an ancient city and a Municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. It is also the headquarters and the largest city of Haridwar district. Haridwar showcases a vivid topography, with the mighty Himalayas on one side and the plains on the other. This holy city is emerging as a developing industrial estate as the State Industrial Development of Uttarakhand (SIDCUL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and other affiliated ancillaries are situated here.
What is Haridwar famous for?
Haridwar is famous among tourist as Pilgrimage.
Haridwar is recommended destination for Couples, Foreigners, Groups, Solo.
Haridwar is popular destination for following activities/ interests - Business Hub, Char Dham Route, Pilgrimage, Ropeways, Temples, Weekend Getaway.

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